The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Hills Library Hearthside historical talk: “Race to the Pole”

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The Wellesley Hills Branch Library presents “Race to the Pole,” a talk by local historian Bob Begin about Antarctica exploration in the 1900s.

In 1900, Antarctica represented the last unexplored and unclaimed region of the world.  Great Britain felt it her duty to explore and claim this region for the British Empire.  She would sponsor expeditions to achieve this goal. Other nations would also enter the race.  Learn about the explorers who risked life and limb to conquer the Antarctic: Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton. What drove these men?

Ernest Shackleton’s men struggle to free their ship, The Endurance, from the Antarctica ice.

WHEN: Thursday, March 28, 2019, 6:30pm – 7:45pm
WHERE: Wellesley Hills Branch Library, 201 Washington St.

Wellesley School Spotlight: Elmwood Christian Preschool Open House, March 24

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Elmwood Christian Preschool Activity Fair and Open House
42 Elmwood Rd., Wellesley
Sunday, March 24, 1pm – 3pm
www.elmwoodchristianpreschool.org

Elmwood Christian Preschool

SPONSORED POST: Elmwood Christian Preschool has taught and nourished some of the smallest members in the
Wellesley community for almost forty years. Our integrated Christian curriculum consists of a variety of hands-on learning activities and experiences planned according to a calendar of themes and units. The daily activities include literature, math, science, social studies, and life skills.

Enrichments to the children’s education at our school include classes in music, science, yoga, gym, and Christian curriculum. All teaching is child-centered and developmentally appropriate which incorporates daily opportunities for individual as well as group activities, quiet and active play choices, imaginative play, problem-solving skills, literature and both large and small muscle activities. We believe preschool children are active learners who learn through play.

Come see what makes us the “hidden gem” in Wellesley!

Elmwood Christian Preschool, Wellesley

Interested families are encouraged to visit our website www.elmwoodchristianpreschool.org or call 781-237-5806 to schedule a tour with our Director, Susan Weycker. A child must be three-years old by September 1 to enroll.

Wellesley Chair Ceremony honors 25-year school system veterans

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The Wellesley Education Foundation  (WEF), Wellesley College and the Wellesley School Committee earlier this month honored 10 staff members who have worked 25 years in the Wellesley Public School system .

The Chair Ceremony, attended by more than 120 supporters, featured toasting and roasting of honorees with skits, poems and speeches. Honorees receive captain’s chairs embossed with the Town of Wellesley seal.

chair ceremony wellesley 2019
Wellesley Public Schools 2019 Chair Ceremony honorees: Deb Levine, Holly Holmes, MaryAnne McDonald, Ilene Sharpe, Kristen Blackwill, Jayne Byrne, Kathleen Derian, Jen MacPherson. Jenny Leung and Kristen Snyder were also honored. Photo by George Roberts

 

2019 honorees: 

Kirsten Blackwill, Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher

Kirsten came to WMS after two years of teaching 7th grade at the American School in Jakarta, Indonesia.  She has taught 7th grade American History ever since.  This subject never feels stale to Kirsten because of current events connections to civics and cultural awareness, and since modes of instruction and assessment are always changing.  Kirsten loves to read, especially mysteries with British detectives, and enjoy spending family time with her husband, Jim, and 8th grade daughter, Ellie. Speaking on behalf of Kirsten was Liz Aceti, Grade 7 ELA teacher, and longtime colleague and friend.

Jayne Byrne, Sprague Grade 3 Teacher

Jayne Byrne did her graduate work at Schofield with Ginny Balicki in 1992 and then started permanently at Hunnewell in 1993.  She taught at Hunnewell for 9 years, then moved to the ‘new’ Sprague when it opened and has been there since:  16 years.  Jayne loves technology which is one of her specialties as a classroom teacher.  Speaking on behalf of Jayne was Penny Copplestone, retired WPS teacher who is still a guest teacher for WPS.   

Kathleen Derian, Grade 8 Science Teacher

Kathleen Derian has worn many hats during her career at WMS.   She has worked on teams of 2, 3 and 4; taught 6th and 8th grades and has taught both English and Science.  She has been honored to work with many wonderful colleagues and kids …AND has loved every minute of it.

Speaking on behalf of Kathleen Derian was Tara Dufour, Wellesley Middle School Guidance Counselor who has worked with Kathleen in both the sixth and eighth grades.

Holly Holmes, Hunnewell Instructional Library Assistant

Holly Holmes has held a variety of positions in the Wellesley Public Schools, mostly at Bates, including Elementary building assistant, teaching assistant in a classroom, and Special Education elementary floating assistant throughout all 6 elementary schools.  In 2003, she became the Instructional Library Assistant at Bates and in 2013, she moved from Bates to Hunnewell, where she continues to work in this capacity. Speaking on behalf of Holly was Liz Rey, the current Bates Librarian and Roxanne Scott the current Hunnewell Librarian.    

Deb Levine, High School Special Ed Department Head [Read more…]

Save the date: Wellesley ABC “A Home of Our Own” Spring Gala is May 4, 2019

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ABC Wellesley

Education keeps on giving. Celebrate forty-six years of success with Wellesley A Better Chance and our A Home of Our Own Capital Campaign to purchase a permanent home for our scholars in proximity to Wellesley High School. Better educational opportunities lead to better lives, and a permanent home will allow the ABC program to grow and thrive for decades to come.

Save the date for the Wellesley A Better Chance Gala on May 4, 2019 to help raise funds for the Home of Our Own Capital Campaign.

A Home of Our Own

Your donation to A Home of Our Own Campaign is a chance to be part of the fabric that creates opportunities of a lifetime for future scholars. We hope that you will join us in funding A Home of Our Own so we can continue to give our youth the truly  priceless gift of education. Your support is essential.

To support this campaign or to learn more about Wellesley ABC and the work that it does here in our community, please visit www.wellesleyabc.org. Wellesley ABC is nearly 100% supported by Wellesley residents and businesses. Without your support, there would be no Wellesley ABC.

Please donate today.

Save the date for the Wellesley A Better Chance Gala on May 4, 2019

Our Past, Present, and Future

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Wellesley Education Foundation seeks board members

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The Wellesley Education Foundation is seeking new board members to start in the fall for a 4-year term.

As a partner of the Wellesley Public Schools, the non-profit foundation harnesses financial and intellectual resources to help the schools achieve their goals through community events and programs such as educator grants. Over $2 million in grants have been awarded in the last 10 years to sponsor programs and initiatives that inspire learning.

Digital marketing, writing and investment services expertise are among the skills being sought in new board members.

If interested, you’re asked to contact the foundation by April 12 at [email protected].